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**By APD writer Melo M. Acuña **
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Republic of the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China convened the fifth meeting of the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) yesterday in Beijing, China.
In a joint statement released Tuesday afternoon, it was learned the Philippine delegation was led by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy Enrique A. Manalo while the Chinese delegation was led by Vice Foreign Minister Luo Zhaohui. The delegations from both sides were comprised of officials from respective foreign ministries and relevant agencies.
According to the statement, both sides recognized and are encouraged by the good momentum of the Philippines-China relations, and highlighted the importance of leveraging on the positive and fruitful meetings between Presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Xi Jinping.
Both sides agreed on the importance of the BCM as a platform for regular dialogue that can play a significant role in the enhanced and stable development of bilateral relations and peace and stability in the South China Sea, through which both sides discuss and consider ways and means to promote practical maritime cooperation, properly manage and address differences, and continuously enhance dialogue and mutual trust.
The discussions were frank and in friendly manner where both sides had exchanges on the general situation and issues of concern in the South China Sea and maritime issues between the Philippines and China. Both sides acknowledged the importance of addressing the differences in the South China Sea and reviewed progress on maritime cooperation in various fields.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to properly address disputes in a positive and constructive attitude, and their commitment to continue to explore and undertake practical maritime cooperation initiatives, and by so doing, promote mutual trust and confidence.
In their joint statement, the Working Groups on Political Security, Fisheries Cooperation and Marine Scientific Research and Marine Environment Protection of the BCM were convened. Both sides had further frank discussions on issues of concern and considered to undertake mutually agreed practical maritime cooperation initiatives, covering maritime research or marine environment protection and fisheries cooperation in the South China Sea. Both sides also had constructive discussions on establishing possible mechanisms for exchanges of visits and communication.
They also recognized the importance of other complementary bilateral and multilateral platforms in maintaining regional peace and stability including ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the East Asia summit. They reiterated the importance of full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and their commitment to the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).
Both sides described the meeting as productive and agreed to hold the sixth meeting of the BCM in the Philippines early in the first half of 2020, with the exact date and place to be determined and mutually agreed upon through diplomatic channels.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
